ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
President's Secretariat
President of India addresses the tenth foundation day of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences; Urges ILBS to prepare a roadmap suggesting ways and means to encourage Liver Donation
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, graced and addressed the tenth foundation day of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences  and the seventh convocation ceremony in New Delhi today .
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that In India, we need about two lakh liver transplants a year, while only a few thousand are done every year. There is need to establish liver transplant programs in more public hospitals and ILBS can provide necessary expertise in this regard. But perhaps most crucial is to encourage organ donation and spread awareness about it. There is a huge gap between the requirement and availability of organs needed for saving lives. The dearth of donors results mainly from lack of awareness about organ donation. He urged ILBS to prepare a roadmap suggesting ways and means to encourage Liver donation, to improve the related procedures and protocols, and to strengthen the infrastructure needed to support a higher number of Liver transplants than is currently possible.
The President said that the growing incidence of liver diseases is also linked to our unhealthy lifestyles. He noted that, at present, nearly one out of four Indians have fatty liver and may be ten per cent of them have liver diseases due to excessive body fat. He said that this condition is known to be a precursor to development of diabetes and heart disease. And diabetics have greater incidence of liver disease than others. It is for institutes like ILBS to take up research that can clarify the linkages between our lifestyle and liver diseases. That would help in developing a preventive care system based in lifestyle changes.
Click here to see the President's speech
Ministry of Finance
Details of Central Taxes collected by the Union Government
Giving details of the taxes which are solely collected by the Union Government, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today, stated them as under:-
Direct Taxes
Corporation Tax, Income Tax, Other Taxes in Income & Expenditure, Wealth Tax, Security
Transaction Tax and Other Tax and Duty on Commodities & Services.
Indirect Taxes
Central GST, Union Excise Duty on petroleum products & tobacco and Custom duties. Out of these, levy and collection of Union Excise Duty on products outside GST and Custom Duty is done solely by the Union Government. However, under the GST, both the Union and States have concurrent powers to levy and collect tax.
The Minister further gave the tax-wise target for Central taxes to be collected from 1st April, 2020 to 31st March, 2021, tax-wise is as under:-
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Direct Taxes 
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|
Major Head
|
|
Revised Target
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|
Corporation Tax
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|
4,46,000
|
|
Taxes on Income
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|
4,47,000
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Security Transaction Tax
|
|
12,000
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|
Indirect Taxes 
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|
Major Head
|
|
Revised Estimate
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Custom Duty
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1,12,000
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Union Excise Duty
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|
3,61,000
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Service Tax 
|
|
1,400
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Goods and Services Tax including CGST, IGST & Compensation Cess
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5,15,100
The Minister gave further details of amount of Central taxes which have been collected till 31st December, 2020  as under:
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Particulars
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Net Collection 
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Direct Taxes
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6,20,529.14
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Indirect Taxes
|
|
7,12,231.78
The releases of States’ Share/Tax Devolution is as per the accepted recommendations of Finance Commission for its award period, the Minister stated. The State-wise details of States’ share and releases is as per Annexure.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari distributes electric potter wheels to 100 potter families in Maharashtra
Union Minister for MSME and RTH Shri Nitin Gadkari distributed electric potter wheels, through Video Conference, to 100 potter families in Nanded and Parbhani districts of Maharashtra as a major step ptowards empowerment with KumharSashaktikaranYojana of Khadi and Village Industries Commission  on Wednesday. through video-conference, who have been given 10-day training by KVIC.
The potters belong to 15 villages - 10 villages in Nanded and 5 villages in Parbhani districts - who were distributed the pottery equipment. The distribution of equipment will benefit at least 400 members of the community by increasing their productivity and their income, which is the dream of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
Shri Gadkari lauded the KumharSashaktikaranYojana of KVIC saying this was the first-of-its-kind initiative taken since independence to strengthen and improve the living of potters in the country. “Empowering the marginalized potters’ community and reviving the dying art of pottery is the dream of the Prime Minister. With proper training and distribution of advanced equipment under KumharSashaktikaranYojana, the productivity and income of potters has increased manifolds. The scheme will further be implemented in other remote areas of Maharashtra and other states,” Shri Gadkari said.
On this occasion, Union Minister also interacted with some artisans who expressed happiness on receiving the government support. They said with increase in production using electric potter wheel, they were now earning 3-4 times more than what they earned earlier.
KVIC Chairman Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, who joined through video-conference, said that more than 18,000 electric chaaks have so far been distributed across the country benefiting nearly 80,000 people of the community. He said the average income of potters under KumharSashaktikaranYojana has gone up from nearly Rs 3000 per month to nearly Rs 10,000 per month. “Empowering every potter in the country is the sole objective of the program and KVIC will spare no effort in achieving this goal,” he said.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Iconic Week of Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying begins Today
The Iconic week of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying falls from 20th December to 26th December 2021. The following events are being organized by the Department of Fisheries during the Iconic week under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
The National Fisheries Development Board , Hyderabad is organizing aFish Stakeholders meet and interaction program with fishers. An Awareness programmeon Fisheries with school and college students and a Webinar on the historical development of Fisheries in the country will be organized. It will also organize a seminar and symposia via video conferencing or offline for the betterment of the fishermen of the country.
TheFishery Survey of India, Mumbaiplans an open house onboard a vessel during the Iconic week. The school and college students will be invited tothe awareness programme on marine fisheries, survey activities, and other topics. The FSI will also organize a seminar and symposia under several topics such as the introduction of new technology in the Fisheries sector for the development of Fishermen community, Harbour development , Sea safety, and Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries .
The Centre Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training , National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training  in Kochin, and Central Institute of Coastal Engineering for Fishery  in Bangalore will organize various events such as Fish Mela and community contact on Fisheries. A National Quiz contest for school and college students on ornamental fisheries and an Awareness programme and seminar on Harbour development are also to be organized.
The Department of fisheries has proposed aWebinar program on “Coldwater Fisheries” on 22nd December 2021. Another Webinar will be conducted on the “KissanCredit Card  for Fisheries Campaign” on 23rd December 2021.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves phasing out Foreign Investment Promotion Board
Cabinet approves phasing out Foreign Investment Promotion Board
. The proposal entails abolishing the FIPB and allowing administrative Ministries/Departments to process applications for FDI requiring government approval.
Henceforth, the work relating to processing of applications for FDI and approval of the Government thereon under the extant FDI Policy and FEMA, shall now be handled by the concerned Ministries/Departments in consultation with the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, which will also issue the Standard Operating Procedure  for processing of applications and decision of the Government under the extant FDI policy.
In addition, Foreign Investors will find India more attractive destination and this will result in more inflow of FDI. The move will provide ease of doing business and will help in promoting the principle of Maximum Governance and Minimum Government.
Background
The proposal for abolition of FIPB was approved by the Cabinet in its meeting on 24-05-2017. Presently, applications are considered by FIPB in Department of Economic Affairs , Ministry of Finance comprising of various Secretaries of Government of India for making recommendation on FDI applications. After the Cabinet decision, it would be handled independently by Administrative Ministries as per Sector.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 187.26 Cr
Over 2.57 Cr 1st dose vaccines administered for age group 12-14 years
India's Active caseload currently stands at 14,241
2,451 new cases reported in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently stands at 98.75%
Weekly Positivity Rate is presently at 0.47%
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 187.26 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 2,29,29,662 sessions.
COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on 16 March, 2022. So far, more than 2.57 Cr  adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Similarly, the COVID-19 precaution dose administration for age group 18-59 years also started from 10th April, 2022 onwards. 2,71,983 precaution doses have been administered in age group 18-59 years so far.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
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Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
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HCWs
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1st Dose
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1,04,04,612
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2nd Dose
|
|
1,00,10,767
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Precaution Dose
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|
46,61,090
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FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,84,14,718
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2nd Dose
|
|
1,75,30,063
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Precaution Dose
|
|
72,67,805
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Age Group 12-14 years
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1st Dose
|
|
2,57,74,412
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2nd Dose
|
|
17,60,748
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Age Group 15-18 years
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1st Dose
|
|
5,80,47,891
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2nd Dose
|
|
4,10,25,125
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Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
55,54,11,836
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2nd Dose
|
|
47,45,75,182
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Precaution Dose
|
|
58,278
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|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
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|
20,28,73,223
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2nd Dose
|
|
18,71,84,041
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|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2,13,705
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Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
12,68,31,286
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|
2nd Dose
|
|
11,66,05,363
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|
Precaution Dose
|
|
1,39,76,370
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2,61,77,248
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|
Total
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|
1,87,26,26,515
India’s Active Caseload currently stands at 14,241. Active cases now constitute 0.03% of the country's total Positive Cases.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.75%. 1,589 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 4,25,16,068.
2,451 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The last 24 hours saw a total of 4,48,939 COVID-19 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 83.38 Cr  cumulative tests.
Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 0.47% and the Daily Positivity rate is also reported to be 0.55%.
Ministry of Railways
Cabinet approves Taranga Hill-Ambaji-Abu Road new rail line to provide connectivity and improve mobility
The connectivity to Ambaji has been long pending demand of the people of the region
The proposed project will provide connectivity to Ambaji and improve mobility of the people of the region
It will also provide alternate route between Ahmedabad and Abu Road
The project will also generate direct employment for about 40 lakh mandays during construction
The estimated cost of this project is Rs. 2798.16 crore and will be completed by 2026-27
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the construction of Taranga Hill-Ambaji- Abu Road new rail line to be constructed by Ministry of Railways at an estimated cost of Rs.2798.16 crore.
The total length of the new rail line will be 116.65 kms. The project will be completed by 2026-27. The project will generate direct employment during construction for about 40 lakh mandays.
In line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s vision of a New India, the project is going to enhance connectivity and improve mobility leading to overall socio economic development of the region.
Ambaji is a famous important pilgrimage destination and is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths in India and attracts millions of devotees from Gujarat as well as other parts of the country and abroad every year. The construction of this line will facilitate easy travel for these millions of devotees. Further, the devotees visiting the Ajitnath Jain temple  at Taranga Hill would also be greatly benefitted by this connectivity. This railway new line between Taranga Hill-Ambaji- Abu Road will connect these two important religious sports with railway’s main network.
This line will facilitate faster movement of agricultural and local products and also provide improved mobility of the people in the region within the state of Gujarat and Rajasthan and also to other parts of the country. This project will also provide alternative route for existing Ahmedabad-Abu Road railway line.
The alignment of the proposed doubling will traverse through Sirohi district of Rajasthan and Banaskantha and Mahesana districts of Gujarat. The construction of new rail line will attract investment and lead to overall socio-economic development of the region.
Special Service and Features
Union Minister Shri. Narendra Singh Tomar to inaugurate the 24th World Coconut Day Celebrations in Gujarat on September 2, 2022
The Coconut Development Board is organising the 24th World Coconut Day Celebrations on September 2, 2022. Union Minister for Agriculture Shri. Narendra Singh Tomar will inaugurate the celebrations to be held at Junagadh, Gujarat and virtually address the farmers. The Union Minister will also inaugurate the State Centre of the Board at Junagadh, Gujarat and will declare the National Awardees and Export Excellence Awardees of the Board. The theme for World Coconut Day 2022 is “Growing Coconut for a Better Future and Life”.
Shri. Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will be the Chief Guest of the programme to be held in Kochi on the same day. The Minister will also distribute awards during the occasion.
Around 1000 coconut farmers and officials are expected to attend the programme in Junagadh, while 500 farmers from across the country and senior officials from the Department of Agriculture/ Horticulture and Agricultural Universities from all coconut growing states will participate in the programme in Kochi. An International Workshop on ‘Good Agricultural Practices in Coconut’ will also be held on the occasion of World Coconut Day. The workshop will have the presence of experts from over seven major coconut growing countries.
Ministry of Culture
ASI to launch “Adopt a Heritage 2.0 programme” Indian Heritage app and e-permission portal on 4th September 2023
The Archeological Survey of India  has 3696 monuments under protection, which are spread, throughout the country. These monuments not only exhibit the rich cultural heritage of India but also play a significant role in fostering the economical growth. In order to sustain the rich cultural legacy, the heritage sites require time to time enhancement of the amenities. To this end and to further enhance the experience of visitors, ASI will be launching “Adopt a Heritage 2.0” programme on 4th September 2023 at Samvet Auditorium, IGNCA, New Delhi. Under this programme, ASI invites corporate stakeholders to enhance the amenities at the monuments by utilizing their CSR funds. The programme is a revamped version of the earlier scheme launched in 2017 and clearly defines the amenities sought for different monuments as per AMASR Act 1958. The stakeholders can apply for adopting a monument or specific amenity/ amenities at a monument through a dedicated web portal with URL www.indianheritage.gov.in, which contains details of monuments sought for adoption along with gap analysis and financial estimation of amenities.
Union Minister of Culture, Tourism and DoNER Shri G Kishan Reddy, spoke about the importance of cultural heritage in shaping our identity. “Our heritage monuments are not mere structures, they are living testaments of our history, art and architecture. The ‘Adopt a Heritage 2.0’ programme seeks to foster collaboration with corporate stakeholders through which they can contribute in preserving these monuments for our upcoming generations”, said the minister. The process for selection will be carried out after due-diligence and discussions with various stakeholders and assessing the economic and developmental opportunities at each monument.
The selected stakeholders will develop, provide and/or maintain amenities in hygiene, accessibility, safety and knowledge categories. In doing so, they will get an opportunity to be recognized as a responsible and heritage-friendly entity. The term of the appointment will be for a period of five years initially, which may be further extended up to five years.
Further, a user-friendly mobile app, named ‘Indian Heritage’ will be launched on the same day, which will showcase the heritage monuments of India. The app will feature state-wise details of monuments along with photographs, list of public amenities available, geo-tagged location and feedback mechanism for citizens. The launch will be in a phased manner, with the ticketed monuments launched in Phase I, followed by the remaining monuments. An e-permission portal, with URL www.asipermissionportal.gov.in for obtaining permission for photography, filming and developmental projects on monuments will also be launched. The portal will fast-track the process for obtaining various permissions and solve operational and logistical bottlenecks involved.
Prime Minister's Office
Congratulatory call to Prime Minister by H.M. the King of Bhutan
H.M the King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck called Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 23rd May 2019 and congratulated him on his victory in the 17th Lok Sabha elections in India.
H.M the King also conveyed his good wishes for the progress and prosperity of the people of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Modi.
Prime Minister Shri Modi thanked H.M. the King for his greetings and warm wishes. He conveyed that the Government of India accords highest importance to its unique and special friendship with Bhutan. He reiterated that the Government of India’s commitment to continue working closely with the Royal Government of Bhutan in taking this partnership to even greater heights.
Ministry of Railways
BHADRAK-NERGUNDI 3RD LINE PROJECT
50% of Construction Work completed.
Haridaspur – Byree Section, a distance of 16.80KMs completed before target period 
The construction work for Bhadrak-Nergundi third line project in Howrah-Chennai Main line between Bhadrak and Cuttack Railway Stations under Khurda Road Division of East Coast Railway is going on in full swing. More than 50% of construction works of this project have been completed.
A patch of 16.80Kms between Haridaspur and Byree which was supposed to be completed by last week of June 2023 has been completed before 1st week of May’2023.
This has been possible due to consistent review of project works by Hon’ble Minister of Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw. General Manager Shri Manoj Kumar Sharma advised officials to focus for the speedy completion of various project works for the critical projects. Shri Sharma also advised officials to coordinate with stake holders including State Government officials for early completion of the projects.
Hon’ble Minister of Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw is giving priority for the Development of Railway infrastructure of the region along with various project works going on in Odisha and also is monitoring the developmental works regularly. Bhadrak-Nergundi 3rd line work will boost the economy of the region and will provide a hassle free train operations in Howrah-Chennai Main Line.
Bhadrak–Nergundi 3rd Line  project was included in 2012-13 and the final Sanction was given in Oct’2015. Works between Jakhapura & Haridaspur, a stretch of 23.53KMs was completed in April 2016, from Kapilas Road to Salegaon, a stretch of 4.30 KMs was commissioned on May 2019 and from Kapilas Road to Nergundi, a distance of 4.20 KMs was commissioned on October 2022 in phased manner.
The target for completion of Bhadrak–Nergundi 3rd Line work has been decided to be by 2023-24, for rest 83.69 Kms work. The latest anticipated Cost of the Project is 1284.39 Crore, where Rupees 648.68 Crore has already been spent. The physical Progress for construction of full Project is about 54% and expenditure made about 50.5%.
RoM
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Ministry of Defence
Naval Chief lauds NCC cadets at DGNCC Republic Day Camp 2019
Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, Chairman COSC and the Chief of the Naval Staff  visited the DG NCC Republic Day Camp at Cariappa Parade Ground, Delhi Cantt and was received by DG NCC, Lt Gen PP Malhotra, VSM today on 21 Jan 19.
The Chief of the Naval Staff reviewed an impressive ‘Guard of Honour’ by the smartly turned out Cadets selected from all the three Wings of NCC i.e. Army, Navy and Air Force. This was followed by a brilliant band display by the cadets. The CNS also inspected the well laid out flag areas prepared by the NCC cadets, from all the 17 NCC Directorates, depicting various Social Awareness themes. Various Naval ship models fabricated by the cadets were also displayed.
Later, the Admiral witnessed a spectacular cultural performance put up by the multi talented the Cadets, depicting the rich Indian Culture.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief of the Naval Staff complimented the Cadets for presenting an impressive ‘Guard of Honour’. He was impressed by the smart turnout and drill of the Cadets. He stated that NCC is a premier youth organisation which single- mindedly engaged in grooming Nation’s Future leaders & empowering them to don the mantle of country’s leadership, as well as excel in all walks of life. He noted the contribution of NCC Cadets towards Nation Building and their indomitable spirit and support during calamities. He also appreciated the efforts in pursuit of naval activities, to include long duration and high risk sailing. The CNS also urged the NCC Cadets to join the armed forces and serve the motherland.
DKS/AC
(Visitor Counter : 532
Cabinet
Cabinet approves declaration of Kushinagar Airport in Uttar Pradesh as an International Airport
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for declaration of Kushinagar Airport in Uttar Pradesh as an International Airport.
Kushinagar Airport is located in the vicinity of several Buddhist Cultural Sites like Sravasti, Kapilvastu, Lumbini  and declaration as an “International Airport” will offer improved connectivity, wider choice of competitive costs to the air-travellers. It will result in boosting of domestic/international tourism and economic development of the regions.
Kushinagar is located in the north-eastern part of Uttar Pradesh about 50 km east of Gorakhpur and is one of the important Buddhist pilgrimage sites.